Veterans in Massachusetts

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2862: An Act relative to the retirement benefits of Howard S. Levine

This bill provides specific retirement benefits for Lieutenant Howard S. Levine, a Raynham correction officer injured in 1990. It grants him an accidental disability retirement allowance equal to 72% of his pre-retirement salary (adjusted for future pay increases for Correction Officer III positions). Upon his death, his surviving wife, Charlene Ann Levine, would receive a survivor annuity of 75% of his pension amount, provided she remains unmarried. The bill applies solely to this individual and his family, not to other state employees.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 2153: An Act establishing the fourth Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2153) of Cindy F. Friedman, Sean Garballey, Michael J. Barrett and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish the fourth Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1815: An Act relative to GIC healthcare coverage for group 4 members pending disability retirement

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1815) of John J. Cronin for legislation relative to GIC healthcare coverage for group 4 members pending disability retirement. Public Service.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Massachusetts · House Jan 29, 2026

H 3306: An Act establishing the fourth Thursday in march as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day

This bill establishes the fourth Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day. It requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the service of Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, including pilots, support personnel, and others who "changed the course of history." The public is recommended to observe the day appropriately. This is a ceremonial designation with no new regulations or funding.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2964: An Act providing for disability and death benefits for explosive device canine handlers and bomb technicians

This bill amends Section 94B of Chapter 32 in the General Laws to add "explosive device canine handlers and bomb technicians" to the list of eligible individuals for disability and death benefits. It directly affects these specific public safety professionals who work with explosive devices. The key mechanism is a simple statutory update expanding the current eligibility criteria within an existing benefits program. The change does not create new benefits but extends existing ones to cover these roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 12, 2025

H 4151: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

This bill allocates supplemental funding for Massachusetts' fiscal year 2025, adding specific sums to existing state budgets for critical programs. It directly affects state agencies and services, including veterans' benefits ($5.8M), child care programs ($95.6M), medical assistance ($134.5M), and senior housing initiatives (e.g., $2M for the Brooke House in Mattapan, which will provide 127 affordable units for seniors). Key mechanisms include funding for the semiquincentennial anniversary ($15M), park improvements ($6M), and transitions to new systems (e.g., $7.5M for electronic benefits cards). The bill supplements existing appropriations without creating new laws, focusing solely on funding allocations for the 2025 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3882: An Act relative to the military family advocacy program, domestic violence and child abuse and neglect

This bill requires Massachusetts child welfare agencies to collect military service information when domestic abuse or child abuse/neglect reports are accepted as credible, then share relevant details with military family advocacy programs. It mandates new agreements between local child welfare offices and military programs (like the DoD's established military family advocacy program) to create clear protocols for identifying military personnel accused of abuse and sharing information without discouraging reports or endangering victims. Key provisions include specific procedures for reporting to military programs during investigations and maintaining confidentiality under state and federal law. The law directly affects child welfare workers, military advocacy programs, and military-connected families involved in abuse cases. It takes effect immediately, updating existing statutes to improve coordination between civilian and military systems handling abuse reports.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Military Families

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 2316: An Act establishing a resilient electric vehicle charging system pilot program and river restoration fund and veterans and emergency responders’ fund

This bill establishes a pilot program for resilient electric vehicle (EV) charging systems that maintain power during extended outages (24+ hours). It requires participating EV charging systems to use small-scale hydroelectric power with specific environmental standards (like LIHI certification) and includes a "resilience adder" for net metering. The program mandates that participants allocate 5% of EV charging revenue to a River Restoration Fund managed by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI), which will fund projects like river cleanups, fish passage improvements, and climate resilience initiatives. The bill also requires EV microgrids to support emergency communications during outages. Note: The veterans and emergency responders' fund mentioned in the title is not detailed in the provided bill text.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2914: An Act relative to veteran judges' pensions

This bill increases pension benefits for retired judges who served in the U.S. military while holding judicial office. It applies to veterans who were called to active duty (at least 90 days) while serving as a judge, retired at 70 with 10+ years service or resigned at 65 with 15+ years, and currently receive a judicial pension. Eligible judges will receive a pension equal to three-fourths of the current annual salary for a judge in the same position at the time of their retirement, calculated when they apply. The state retirement board must notify affected judges by certified mail within 30 days of the bill's effective date, with a 30-day window to apply for the increase.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

H 2909: An Act relative to the disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

This bill establishes a presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in certain public safety employees was caused by their job duties, if diagnosed within five years of leaving service and not present at the time of hiring. It directly affects police officers, firefighters, correctional staff, airport crash crews, and military fire department members. Under the bill, these employees can receive benefits as if the PTSD occurred "in the line of duty" unless their employer proves it resulted from non-work factors like disciplinary actions. Benefits would be paid retroactively from the date the employee last received regular compensation.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

All veterans bills